Creating a new beverage product can be an exciting venture, but getting it onto store shelves and into the hands of consumers can be a daunting task. With so many established brands in the market, it can be challenging to stand out and get noticed. However, with the help of a trusted beverage broker like Align Sales Group, you’ll gain the competitive edge you need to succeed in the industry.
At Align Sales Group, we understand that the beverage industry is a highly competitive and ever-evolving market, and it can be difficult to get your product noticed by retailers. Our extensive experience and knowledge of the industry, paired with our established relationships with key decision-makers across the Midwest, enable us to develop a winning strategy that sets your brand apart from the competition.
Packaged beverages were the No. 2 in-store category in 2025, up 0.8 points year over year. “I’m thirsty” is the No. 1 reason shoppers visit.
Energy drinks set the pace for the whole beverage set in 2025, with unit sales up 7.8% even as total packaged beverage sales held flat.
Average packaged beverage sales per store each month in 2025, with more than 28% of it coming from energy.
Sources: NACS State of the Industry Report, 2025 data (April 2026); Circana via CSP Daily News, 52 weeks ending 2025; NACS Magazine, May 2026.
Energy, functional, hydration, RTD coffee or better-for-you soda: we position your drink against the set it will actually be reset into, not the whole aisle.
We line up the beverage distributors that serve your target chains and bring them a sell sheet with price, pack, margin and velocity expectations they can take to buyers.
Cooler planograms change on fixed cycles. We plan presentations around each chain’s review window so you’re not waiting a year for the next opening.
Introductory promotions, cold-vault placement checks and reorder follow-up so your first slot turns into a permanent facing.
A clear point of difference, a price that fits the single-serve impulse trip, a margin that competes with the brands already in the door, and a plan to support sales once the product lands. Functional claims and zero-sugar options are getting the most attention right now.
It depends on your pack, shelf life and the chains you’re targeting. Many emerging beverages start with a regional warehouse distributor and add DSD partners as volume grows. We help you map which route fits each account.
Most chains review beverages on a set calendar, so expect several months from first pitch to shelf. Having distribution and a promotional plan in place before the review shortens the path.
Yes. We look at the everyday retail price your competitors hold, the margin retailers expect in the category, and the multi-buy promotions that move trial.
Our team of experts is ready to collaborate with you and provide the personalized attention and strategic guidance you deserve to achieve your sales goals. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you take your product to new heights!